Registry Recommendations for Twins

Figuring out what all you'll need for your twins can be overwhelming, especially for first-time parents. I had time on my hands during the second half of pregnancy so I did a lot of research! I used the Twin Essentials list from www.twinstuff.com as my basis, then compared notes with the book Baby Bargains, and recommendations from friends and other MoMs as well as reading tons of reviews to compile my registries. I registered at Target and Babies R Us, with a smaller registry on Amazon.com for a few things like the co-sleeper and Ergo carrier, then bought other things ourselves if I found a better deal elsewhere (e.g. the Ultimate Crib Sheets were cheapest at Wal-mart).

Below are my recommendations. I list what I suggest getting and how many of each item (much of that is from twinstuff.com); in parentheses after most items I list my personal recommendation for specific brand or type. Hope this is helpful! Feel free to ask questions or make other recommendations in the comments section. These items should get you through the first four to six months or so. After that you'll need baby-proofing equipment, toys for older babies, etc.

TWIN ESSENTIALS

BABY GEAR/ FURNITURE

• 2 infant car seats (Graco Snug Rides. UPDATE: I recommend the Chicco Keyfit or (less expensive) the Safety 1st Comfy Carry Elite).
• 2 convertible car seats (First Years True Fit convertible car seats--These can certainly wait till later if you want to spread out expenses. UPDATE: While the TrueFits were, at the time, one of the best seats for extended rear-facing, there are some other good options now. The TrueFits have a pretty tall shell but only rear-face to 35 lbs. If you want to extended rear-face to 3 or 4, you may need a seat with a higher RF weight limit, such as the Diono Radian or the Graco MySize (though some parents have had trouble tightening the harness enough when the child is in the seat). For a small budget or back-up seats, Cosco Sceneras are a good bet. Also, the FB group "Car Seats for the Littles" is a great resource for questions about what car seat is best for your size/age of children, your vehicle, etc. Lots of techs on there who are very knowledgeable.
• 1 double stroller that takes infant car seats (Baby Trend Double Snap 'n' Go)
• 1 double stroller for after they outgrow their infant seats (Baby Jogger City Mini double; many MoMs recommend getting a tandem as well. Again, this can wait till later.)
  
• 2 cribs (Ikea and Graco cribs are really good value for the money!)
  
• 2 crib mattresses (First Years Sweet Dreams crib/toddler mattress--great deal at Wal-mart)
• OPTIONAL: 1 large or 2 small bassinet(s) (Arm's Reach Original Cosleeper--goes up to 40 lbs, making it a great choice for multiples)
• 4-6 cosleeper/Pack n Play sheets (I found some cheap on Amazon)
• Dresser/storage unit (4-drawer chest Saddlebrook, pecan--only $100 at Wal-mart)

• 1 portable playard/bassinet/changing station (Graco Pack n Play in Margo--great deal at Albee Baby.)
  
• 1 rocking chair/recliner (Got a glider from a friend; already had a La-Z-Boy. Use both a LOT!)

• Backpack-style diaper bag (Sienna backpack diaper bag from Babies R Us. Insulated bottle pocket has room for 2 bottles!) OR messenger-style diaper bag. We started out with the Sienna bag but now mostly use the Diaper Dude. We got it for $19.95 from RedEnvelope.com! :) The messenger style makes it easier to find things.
  
• 1 swing; later 2 if both like it (Fisher-Price Rainforest Open-top Cradle Swing-worth its weight in gold! Plugs in! :))
  
• 2 bouncy seats (Fisher-Price Soothe 'n' Play Bouncer)
• 1 Bumbo seat with tray; 2 later if they both like it (a great item to buy used)
• 2 jumperoos, or 1 jumperoo, 1 Exersaucer (1 FP Lights & Music jumperoo, 1 FP Rainforest jumperoo). Fine to start with 1 and see if they both like it.
  
• 1 wrap (Moby Wrap; I kind of wish I had gotten a ring sling instead. I've heard good things about the Didymos wraps as well.)
  
• 1 Front carrier (Ergo carrier; can be used for front, hip or back carries. Very ergonomic for both Mom and baby, can be used for several years!)
  
• 1 table Lamp (DH installed a dimmer switch in the babies' room instead, which was great when we needed to sneak in there for nighttime feedings and didn't want to wake them up too much!)
  

CLOTHING/DIAPERING

Newborn Clothes (some preemie may be helpful, too; Walmart or Carter's are good sources for preemie clothes)

• 8-12 Sleep n Plays or similar, preferably with zippers
• 4-6 shirts until umbilical cord falls off
• 10 Newborn onesies (Carter's 5-packs are great. Ross has great prices on them. Long-sleeved if winter babies)
• 8-10 Gowns with elasticized bottoms (0-3 or 0-6m size)
• As for other cute outfits, I didn't register for any; we got plenty at our baby shower
• 2 snowsuits, pramsuits, or bunting if needed. Consider BundleMe Lites for warmer climates
• 2-4 Fleece outfits / sweater or jacket: for winter
• hangers (didn't need these b/c so many gift outfits came w/hangers)
• 2-4 bonnets or caps: for summer
• 2 pairs mittens
• Hand mitts for outfits that don't come with them (to prevent scratching themselves)

0-3 month, 3-6 month, 6-9 month, 9-12 month:

• 15-20 onesies in each size (again, I'd recommend Carter's, get a mix of short and long sleeve based on season, plain white and patterned)
• 8-10 pairs of pajamas in 0-3 months.
• 4-6 outfits in 0-3 months (you'll probably receive a lot as gifts)
  

Beyond that I would hold off on buying many clothes in the bigger sizes; after the babies are here, you'll develop a better idea of what you like (i.e. a creeper and shorts/pants versus 1-piece outfits, snaps versus zippers, etc.).

• Diapers: 4-12 packs in sizes preemie, Newborn, and 1 (Different diapers work for different babies, but Pampers Swaddlers seem to be a big hit. Unfortunately they only go to size 2-3. They're a good choice for stocking up pre-babies. Also throw in a pack each of Huggies, Luvs, and possibly Target or Walmart-brand diapers. We like the Target brand--Up & Up.)
• Wipes (Target's "Up & Up" wipes are the best!)
• Diaper pail (We have the Baby Trend New Diaper Champ; not a big fan.)
• 1 contoured changing pad
• 1-2 changing pad covers
• Some type of organizer for the diaper area (I got a diaper stacker with front pockets for diaper rash cream, etc., and also have a decorative wooden box for storage on the changing table.)
• 8-12 receiving blankets (Some MoMs recommend up to 20. 6-8 would have been fine for us.)

FEEDING/BATHING

Twin nursing pillow (EZ-2-Nurse twin nursing pillow)

12-20 Bibs, ideally velcro or snap not tie kind (More if you have two reflux babies like we do!)

1 Breastpump & breastmilk storage bags (I rented the Medela Lactina; hospital-grade pumps are great for MoMs)

2 Boppy pillows (great for bottle-feeding 2 at once when they're little plus useful for tummy time, etc.)

4 Boppy covers

Bottles and nipples as needed (try several kinds; we like the Playtex VentAires and Gerber ClearViews)

1-2 bottle organizer/drying racks (1st Years Spin & Store Dry Rack Organizer)

1-2 bottle brushes (Circo 2-pack from Target)

2 dishwasher baskets for feeding accessories (Munchkin dishwasher baskets from Target)

1 formula-mixing pitcher if you plan to formula-feed (the Dr. Brown's Formula-Mixing pitcher makes up to 36 oz at a time; for twins you'd need to make two batches to have a day's worth of formula if you exclusively formula-feed. The Pampered Chef Family-Size Quik Stir pitcher makes a day's worth for twins at once. This saves a lot of time!)

1 infant tub (Summer Infant Mother's Touch Deluxe Baby Bather; the EuroBath tubs look great, too.)

8-12 baby washcloths

2-4 hooded towels

Baby wash/shampoo (Aveeno unscented)

20 burp cloths (cloth diapers work great)

Soaps & Lotions (For our super-sensitive-skinned babies, we like Aveeno, Dove, Eucerin and CeraVe cream.)

2 Highchairs or booster seats (Fisher-Price Rainforest booster seats. If you bottle-feed, you may wish to get chairs that also recline for bottle-feeding once they outgrow their bouncy seats.)

SLEEPING/SAFETY

• 2-4 pacifiers (don't get too many, and get different kinds to see what your babies prefer; ours love Soothies)
• 2-4 pacifier attachers (we use Soothie paci clips. They tend to come off though. Try to get your babies hooked on a different kind of pacifier if you can!)
• 4 mattress protectors (Ultimate Crib Sheets) Alternatively, just buy more crib sheets and be prepared to change them often. :)
  
• 4 Fitted crib sheets (Carter's easy fit blue jersey fitted crib sheets)
• 4-6 sleep sacks (2 microfleece sleep sack sets from Halo--each includes 1 NB swaddle, 1 small, plus 2 cotton Sleep Sacks; we had winter babies)
• 2 types of swaddlers (2 Kiddopotamus SwaddleMes, 2 Miracle blankets; get 2 more if they work for your babies so you can swap out if one gets dirty)
• Optional: 2 "Blankies" (Koala Baby Luxe blankets from Babies R Us)
• Optional: 2 Breathable crib bumpers (BreathableBaby Padded Mesh bumpers)
  
• Baby Monitor (Sony 900MHZ Baby Call Monitor)
• Smoke alarm / carbon monoxide detector for baby's room

DÉCOR/OTHER

• 1 Vaporizer (ask pedi whether cool or warm mist)
• 1-2 playmats (Tiny Love Gymini 3-D Activity Gym and a discontinued Tiny Love playmat)
• Tummy time mat (optional; we have one from Tiny Love)
• Curtains/valances, cribskirts, etc., as needed (we got the Tiddliwinks sailboat stuff from Target)
• Wall art
• (We got the Ahoy Mate wallpaper border from BRU)
• Storage baskets as needed (You've probably already thought of this, but if your babies will be on more than one floor of your house, you'll want a diaper changing area on each floor, even if it's just a basket with a changing pad, diapers and wipes. You'll also want places on each floor to put them, e.g. a Pack n Play on the first floor or a second set of bouncy seats so you don't have to make too many trips up and down stairs.)
  

FIRST AID KIT

• Aquaphor
• Tylenol Infant Drops (dye free!)
• Mylicon (non-staining!)
• A few teethers/teething rings
  
• Bandages -- assorted sizes
• Triple antibiotic ointment
• Bandage pads (for places that bandages don't fit or areas that are too big for bandages)
• Gauze
• First-aid tape to hold bandage pads and gauze in place
• Cotton swabs -- keep in a small plastic bag to prevent contamination
• Nail clippers (We got a Red Cross Health and Grooming kit that contained a lot of this stuff)
• Tweezers
• Emery boards (great for the sharp edges of the nails)
• Scissors
• Alcohol wipes
• Alcohol
• Nasal aspirator (the hospital will usually send you home with 2)
• Medicine dropper and spoon (Tsp and ML)
• Temperature tester
• gripe water
• Vaseline
• Saline Spray for breaking up nasal congestion (Little Noses saline drops)
• Diaper rash ointment (We have and like Balmex, A&D, and Boudreaux's Butt Paste)
• Sunblock (check with Pedi for safe age to start using it usually after 6 mo.) Neutrogena
  

You'll also want some board and cloth books, rattles, and some hanging toys to swap out so they don't get bored of those on their bouncy seat toybars and playmat. You might also consider a ring-stacking toy, soft cloth blocks, and other toys for the 4 months + range. A take-along arch or two for the car seat/stroller might also come in handy. (We have one from Tiny Love.) FOR MOM

• Nursing bras
• Breast pads
• Breast shields
• Cream for Nipples (Lansinoh cream)